Great Siege Tunnels
Upper rock nature reserve
20-25 min
During the war of American independance France and Spain saw an opportunity to try and take back Gibraltar from the British, in Gibraltar’s 14th Siege (now known as the Great Siege).
At the end of the Great Siege in 1783, the defeated Commander of the French and Spanish troops, the Duc de Crillon, on being shown the fortifications that had led to the defeat of his troops, commented “These works are worthy of the Romans”. These are now known as the great siege tunnels.
Work on the tunnels was started in 1779 and lasted until 1783, they were the brainchild of Seargeant major Ince answering a call from the then goveneor, General Elliott to get guns onto the rocks north face.
Today the tunnels are still home to many victorian cannons and guns throughout their chambers aswell as providing spectacular views out of the rock.
